John E. Leopardo, 91, of North Sewickley Township passed away at his residence on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
He was born on December 23, 1930, in Chewton, PA, to the late Joseph and Sylvia (Massa) Leopardo.
He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1948 and The Pennsylvania State University with a Major in Mechanical Engineering in 1952. John served in the U.S. Army at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland from 1955 – 1957. Following his service, he was employed and held management positions with National Tube/US Steel, Babcock & Wilcox, and Pittsburgh Tube. He retired in 1988.
John was a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus where he once served as Grand Knight and was a member of the Color Guard. He was also a member of the Wolves Club, Sons of Italy, Ellwood City Moose, Ellwood Saxons Club and the Riverside Lions Club. He was a member of The Connoquenessing Country Club and was an avid golfer. John enjoyed traveling, spending time with his family; but most of all he enjoyed the yearly Italian Christmas Eve gathering with his family and friends.
He is survived by his five loving daughters Karen Stewart and her guide dog “Breezy” of Nashville, TN; Kathryn (Bill) McKenzie of Scottsdale, AZ; Sylvia (Jeffrey) Simon of Chippewa, PA; Barbara (Greg) Martin of Houston, TX; and Elvy (Dave) Kirkham of Ellwood City, PA; grandchildren Aaron (Lori) Stewart, Adam Stewart, Lauren McKenzie, John (Cas) McKenzie, Michael Leopardo, Josh Simon, Jenna Simon, Joseph (Rachel) Martin, Jessica Martin and James Martin; great grandchildren Lorelei Null, Liam McKenzie, Kaison Simon, Aleena Diana, Avery Martin, and Olivia Martin. He is also survived by his three sisters Phyllis Palagallo, Patricia Skvarla, and Mary Ann Perry
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Delia (Decianno) Leopardo, father and mother-in-law Salvatore and Amelia (DeMatteo) DeCianno, and son-in-law Arthur Kevin Stewart.
Friends will be received Friday, Nov. 25th from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 at the Marshall Funeral Home, 200 Fountain Ave. Ellwood City. Members of the Ellwood City Wolves Club are asked to meet at the funeral home at 7:30 to pay respects as a group.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 26, at 11:00 am at Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church with Fr. Mark Thomas officiating. Full Military Honors will be observed by the Veteran’s Honor Guard. Entombment will follow in the Williamsburg Mausoleum at the Beaver Falls Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to: Three Oaks Hospice, 300 S Walnut Lane, Beaver PA 15009 or Ellwood Food Bank.
The family wished to express their sincere gratitude to Three Oaks Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care!
Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com
Sorry for your loss. I enjoyed speaking to John as I drove him home from McElwain’s and also at times at the Country Club.I even may have worked in a Dept. he headed at the US Steel Ellwood Plant. I was very young at that time just out of high school in 1965 to 1970. He was a good man.
We are so sorry for your loss, cousins…you are all in our thoughts and prayers, we are going to miss him so much, although we haven’t seen each other in while, you are all with me in my heart. Johnny was a great man, and alot of fun, those old days of all us being together can’t be beat, we have a great family cousins and always remember we are hear for you. Love & Light…..Aunt Sherry Massa, Cousin Mike & Jaynee (Massa) Koneval
To the family of John Leopardo, I want to express my sympathy and sorrow in learning of his passing. At the same time, I am with you in prayer thanking God for the wonderful gift of this man, as a husband, father, grandfather, a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, and a wonderful member of the community. John was a blessing!
Please know that I will be offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for John here in Dallas, Texas. May the Good Lord welcome him into his arms of mercy and console his family members with love and peace.
Faithfully yours,
Bishop Edward Burns
Diocese of Dallas, Texas
Thanks Ed!! He was a great man and lived a full life!! He died just listening to mass and the rosary on Sunday!! Thank you for the mass offering!
Elvy.
Thank you Ed. That was so beautifully written. It makes me hurt less knowing he is now in Great Hands and with Mom.
He so missed her.
Kathryn McKenzie
I’m sorry to hear about John. He was a great neighbor and long time family friend. I will always remember his thoughtfulness at the time of my patents’ funerals, and his tutoring helped get me through 8th grade algebra. Our condolences to the Leopardo family.
Mike and Eryla Palagallo
Dear cousins – ONLY the cousins left of this great family – we are the eldest and I think Johnny was one of the oldest left in this world til now except dear Aunt Sherry who we treasure. We had such fun growing up in our big family and the reunions, Massa Club, all the many get togethers, weddings and funerals. It’s too bad we all have gone our separate ways but our memories sustain us forever. Our prayers and thoughts are with Johnny’s girls and all of their generation and the next one too. Miss and love all of you.
Joanne Massa Pinette and Rick & family
Karen, Kathryn, Sylvia, Barbara and Elvy,
So sorry to hear the news about Uncle John. He was blessed to have lived such a long life with a loving family. He will forever be in our memory as such a kind and sweet Uncle. He was always so welcoming at his house during Christmas and anytime we were able to come visit. Although we won’t be able to attend the services, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Lana & Bob
So sorry to hear that John passed away. Our family always looked forward to seeing John, Del and the girls every time we traveled to PA.
Elvy,
So sorry to read about your dad. Sounds like he had a long and wonderful life. My thoughts and prayers for your family.
Thank you Carol! He lived a great life indeed!